Must see tours: Summer 2006

MADONNA Her Purple Mountains Madgesty (will she ever ditch the violet leotard?) returns to the road after 2004’s phenomenally successful Re-Invention Tour. She’s already offered a sneak tour preview with a performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April — a six-song show inside a relatively tiny dance tent that nearly led to a riot of fans attempting to justify their love for the still-ripped-at-47 singer. Rumored to be included in her upcoming set list: oldies like ”Lucky Star,” ”Like a Virgin,” and ”Live to Tell,” along with newer stuff (”Sorry,” ”I Love New York”). Also expect — as always — some serious choreography, lots of outlandish costumes by the très risqué French designer Jean Paul Gaultier (the man behind the iconic cone bra of her Blond Ambition era) and, of course, more plum-colored spandex than you can throw an Abflex at. 5/21-7/23

RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS With most members now Californicating their way through their 40s, the quintessential L.A. outfit heads out for an umpteenth tour, this time in support of the double-disc Stadium Arcadium. Kicking off at its old stomping grounds Lollapalooza, the band will wend its way through North America. 8/5-11/5

KELLY CLARKSON Her 5.2-million-selling Breakaway — now on its fifth (!) hit single — contains some of the best pure pop songs of the decade so far. If you think you won’t be screaming like a fanned-out tween when she launches into ”Since U Been Gone,” you’re lying to yourself, buddy. 6/30-8/6

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN New Jersey’s native son celebrates Pete Seeger on his most recent venture, a record devoted to songs popularized by the folk legend. But don’t expect a mellow night out when Bruce hits the road with his Seeger Sessions Band: This loose and raucous group should shine live. 5/27-6/25

FIONA APPLE AND DAMIEN RICE Apple proved she still has bite on last year’s aptly titled Extraordinary Machine; her adolescent angst has ripened into something deeper and, frankly, more intriguing. With gentle Irish singer-songwriter Rice on board to provide some balance. 6/20-7/21

INTONATION MUSIC FESTIVAL Now in its second year, this Chicago happening has passed its curating baton to Vice Records, which explains the presence of Vice acts like The Streets, Bloc Party, and the Stills. Also on the bill: Swedish softy José González, ’60s psych band Blue Cheer, and rapper Ghostface Killah. 6/24-25

OZZFEST All hail the Oz, who headlines his annual touring fest along with the gleeful metal theatrics of System of a Down and a plethora of other parent-baiting bands. 6/29-8/13

JEWEL AND ROB THOMAS Sound like a weird pairing? Not really. Both of these singers are blond, built, and well-versed in the art of making hits. 5/23-7/5